TNAG-1377-FCO40-1825-Future-of-Hong-Kong-legislation-Hong-Kong-Bill-1985 — Page 282

CONTIENTIAL

11. THE SPOKESMAN ALSO STRESSED THAT THE PRESENT POSITION OF HONG KONG BDTCS WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED UNTIL 1997:

THE BILL PROVIDES AN ENABLING POVER FOR THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT TO INTRODUCE A SUBSEQUENT ORDER IN COUNCIL. SUBJECT TO PARLIAMENTARY APPROVAL THIS ORDER WILL GIVE EFFECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE UK MEMORANDUM. BUT EVEN THEN HONG KONG BDTCS WILL RETAIN THE STATUS OF BDTC, WHICH WILL NOT BE AFFECTED IN ANY WAY, UNTIL 1 JULY 1997. THEY WILL ALSO BE ELIGIBLE TO RETAIN ANOTHER FORM OF BRITISH NATIONALITY FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES.''

ENDS.

YOUDE

HONG KONG AGREEMENT

LIMITED

HD/HKD

HD/FED

HD/PLANNING STAFF

HD/PUSD

DEP HD/PUSD

RESEARCH DEPT (MR WALKER) PS

PS/MR LUCE

PS/PUS

SIR W HARD ING

MR WILSON

SIR J FREELAND

MR J CROWLEY, PUSD

COPIES TO: (VIA ADR)

MR ROBERTS, NEWS DEPT

MR FIFOOT. LEGAL ADVISERS

MR BURROWS, LEGAL ADVISERS

MR MARTIN, ASST STAFF CABINET

OFFICE

MR CARTLEDGE, CABINET OFFICE MR COLVIN, CABINET OFFICE

SIR P CRADOCK, NO 10 DOWNING ST HKGO, LONDON.

CONFIDENTIAL